Fear and anxiety may discourage minorities from voting: BHBCUC

Even though the minority community wants to exercise their civil rights by voting, fear and anxiety about life, livelihood, wealth and dignity are not eliminating.

The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council has commented that these fears and anxiety may discourage the minority community from voting in the upcoming national elections.

This was announced in a written statement by the organization at a press conference organized at the National Press Club on Thursday (January 29) morning in view of the ‘ongoing communal violence and the upcoming thirteenth national elections’. The written statement was read out by the acting general secretary of the Unity Council, Manindra Kumar Nath.

The written statement said that the government, administration, Election Commission and political parties must take responsibility for the discouragement of the minority community from voting. A strong and effective role is expected from all relevant authorities, including the Election Commission, in changing this undesirable situation quickly.

The Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council said that although there are only 14 days left for the national elections, communal violence is continuing this year like last year. In the first 27 days of January this year, 42 incidents of communal violence have occurred across the country, including 11 murders.

The organization claims that religious and ethnic minorities and small ethnic groups, especially women, are constantly living in fear and panic across the country. Minority businessmen are not able to operate their businesses normally in their respective locations. In this situation, many minority families are being forced to migrate internally.

The written statement also said that in this national election, 'yes' and 'no' votes have been added in the name of referendum, where the basic principles of running the state have been declared excluding secularism. The Unity Council commented that the direct campaign by the government and the Election Commission in favor of this is sad, unfortunate and biased.

The organization believes that the non-communal, secular and non-discriminatory constitution of Bangladesh is facing challenges today. This situation can become a major obstacle in the minority community's access to equal rights as citizens of Bangladesh. In such a reality, it was also mentioned in the press conference that it has become a major challenge for the minority community to go to the polling station safely and vote according to their choice.

In this situation, the Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council made seven demands at the press conference. These are—

First, so that religious-ethnic minority voters can go to the polling station without any hindrance. They should not face any obstacles due to being a candidate. The Election Commission should create a level playing field so that they have equal opportunities to participate in the election campaign.

Secondly, the use of religion and communalism should be banned in election campaign. If any candidate or any party uses religion and communalism in the election, then there should be provisions for punishment.

Thirdly, a suitable environment should be ensured for minorities and ethnic groups to vote without fear and without any hindrance in the upcoming 13th National Parliament election. If necessary, their security should be ensured by deploying the army.

Fourthly, in order to ensure the security of religious and ethnic minorities during the pre- and post-election period and to control the public safety and law and order situation, areas inhabited by minorities should be identified as 'risky' areas and arrangements should be made for regular patrols by the army, RAB, and BGB in addition to deploying police, Ansar, etc. A 'monitoring cell' should be formed to conduct regular monitoring.

Fifthly, the District Administrator, Superintendent of Police, members of all law enforcement agencies related to the election, and political parties should be properly informed about all the steps taken by the Election Commission for the security of minorities.

Sixthly, the use of any religious place of worship including mosques, temples, pagodas, churches, etc. should be banned during election campaigning.

Seventh, religious hate speech, statements, spreading rumors or any such propaganda should be considered a crime under the Special Powers Act.